(Rattus norvegicus)
Biology:
The Norway rat is the most common rat species in our country and its popular names such as “water rat” or “canal rat” indicate its preference for water. They can be found in ditches, rivers, canals and streams. From there, they also enter the sewage system and thus the immediate human environment. They can also be found in dry places such as garbage dumps, cattle sheds or granaries. The animals have a somewhat stocky build and can reach a body length of 26 cm. With a length of up to 20 cm, the tail is always shorter than the body. It is clumsy and the musculature is only weakly developed in relation to its thickness and length. When walking, it is mainly dragged along, which means that a drag mark can be clearly seen between the footprints in dust, sand, mud or snow. The fur is gray-brown to reddish-brown on the upper side and light gray to whitish on the belly. The animals reproduce all year round and have two to three litters with an average of 8 young per year. The Norway rat lives sociably in family packs and is known for its intelligence and mistrust.
Damage:
The Norway rat is an omnivore and is harmful by eating food and feed and contaminating it with feces and urine. Furthermore, gnawing activity can cause considerable damage to materials. Finally, rats are extremely important as carriers of dreaded diseases such as plague, cholera, trichinosis, foot-and-mouth disease and others to humans and their pets.
